Improvement in can-openers



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GUY C. HU MPHRIES, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT F COLUMBIA l Letters Patent No. 84,122, dated Noce'mbefr I7', 1868.

IMPROVEMENTJN CAN-OPENERS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom 'it mia/y concern:v

Be it known that I, GUY G.HUM1 HRIns, of Washington city, iu the Distlict of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Metal Gan and Box-Openers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciiicatiou'.

The object of my invention is to provide an efiicient, durable, and cheap instrument for opening sheet-metal cans and boxes, and to overcome all the objections which exist in those now in usel These oby ections are numerous, the most important of which are, the strength required to open the box, and the forcing of th'e contents (especially if in a liquid form) through the incision and out' ot the box. The former objection exists in all such as are provided with two 'cutting-surfaces and used as shears, and the latter in all kinds, as'there is more or less pressure upon the top of the can 4orbox during the operation of cutting.

In referring to the accompanying drawings, similar letters denote like parts in the different figures.

My invention consists in pivoting or hinging to a knife a Bearing-block having two bearing-surfaces, and resting on the outside wall of the can during the operation of cutting. v

Figurel is an edge view of my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan or top view.

Figure 3 is an elevation, showing the application and operation of the same. A A are a knife and handle vibrating as a lever, upon a fulcrum, at B. The pin forming the fulcrum B passes loosely through a bearing-block, C, and is riveted or otherwise secured, to prevent the block from becoming detached. The 4bearing-block G may have a concave bearing-face, with sharp corners, as shown in iig. 3 to make it act as a detent.

It will be observed that the fulcrum is midway between the two outside edges of the bearing-block, thus preventing any slip of the block yduring the cuttingprocess.

Of course the design of the opener may be altered in many respects without departing om the spirit of my invention. For instance, the knife-blade may be single or double, having `a cutting-edge either on one or both sides, making it a right or left-hand instrument.

When a can or box is to be opened, the point of the knife is driven (vertically) through the top, near to one side, as shown in figs. land 2, until the bearing-block C rests ou the outside wall of the vessel. The handle is then depressed, causing the knife to out as it rises, as shown by dotted and broken lines. The handle is now elevated, and slid along on the top of the vessel, preparatory to a renewal of the cutting-operation, keeping the knife-edge against its kerf Vuntil the positionshown `in blue lines is attained, when the operation of cutting may proceed by again depressing the handle, and so on, until the top is totally or in part removed from the vessel; the pressure at all times being against the outside wall 'of the can, avoiding the pressing out of the contents.

Having fully described the construction and operar tion of my improved can-opener, I do not wish to claim a rotary bearing-block having a continuous vbearingface; nor do I wish to lay claim to a stationary block; but

What I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The bearing-block O, hinged or pivoted to the knife A A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GUY C. HUMPHRIES. Witnesses JNO. M. HANsoN, N. J. THOMAS. 

